So You Think You Can Dance

So You Think You Can Dance invites dancers from open auditions across the United States to compete in a televised talent show that tests technique, versatility and stage presence. Contestants are paired and assigned routines in styles outside their comfort zones, judged by a panel and subject to viewer voting. Over weekly live shows performers try to win support, improve under choreographers, and stay in the running while personal stories and rehearsal pressures are part of the presentation. The format keeps eliminations public and performance-focused, emphasizing growth and spectacle without revealing any behind-the-scenes outcomes ahead of broadcasts.

The series premiered in 2005, created by Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller, and has featured hosts and judges who are prominent in dance and entertainment, including Cat Deeley, Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Joelle Siwa in various seasons and roles.

The show has earned industry recognition, particularly for its choreography, with multiple Primetime Emmy wins and nominations tied to dance direction and creative staging, alongside acknowledgements in reality television award categories.

Culturally, the program helped make diverse dance styles more visible on mainstream TV, with standout routines and audition moments often shared online and discussed in popular media. It also served as a launchpad for several performers and choreographers who went on to broader careers, and it inspired international editions and touring live shows.

Audience reaction skews positive, reflected in a user score around 6.8 out of 10 based on community voting, with praise commonly aimed at the quality of dance and production. Critics and viewers have noted fluctuations between seasons, but many point to the emotional storytelling and the emphasis on technical challenge as core strengths that keep viewers tuning in.